The seven-member Mikko Sarvanne Garden, led by composer Mikko Sarvanne, will perform in seven cities across Finland from May 8th to 17th. Sarvanne was awarded the Teosto Prize in 2023 for the compositions on the band's debut album.
The Nordic jazz, contemporary vocal, and percussion music collective Mikko Sarvanne Garden will be performing across Finland in May as part of the Finnish Jazz Federation's tour. The tour kicks off in Joensuu on May 8th, followed by Porvoo, Turku, Sipoo, Kajaani, and Oulu, and concludes on May 17th at Helsinki's Temppeliaukio Church, where Mikko Sarvanne Garden will be joined by Elia Lombardini.
Composer Mikko Sarvanne leads the seven-member Mikko Sarvanne Garden, consisting of three vocalists, two string players, and a percussionist, with Sarvanne himself handling synthesizers and other electronics live. Through their music, the septet transports the listener to a parallel reality, a garden offering an otherworldly experience – the synthesizer glowing like a rising sun, the deep roots of the low strings rumbling, and the flexible cathedrals of the clear vocal tones embracing the listener tenderly.
The band's debut album Heräämisen valkea myrsky, based on Erkka Filander's poem of the same name, was released in October 2022. The album's compositions were awarded the Teosto Prize in spring 2023.
"On the tour, we will hear Heräämisen valkea myrsky in its entirety for the last time, updated and expanded, now in what I believe is a completely finished version," Sarvanne states. Additionally, the concerts will feature a new composition that Sarvanne has composed to poet Milka Luhtaniemi's text (Kirnu, Gummerus, 2021), which according to the composer will pave the way for the band's future musical direction.
Sarvanne is eagerly anticipating the upcoming concerts across Finland, as Mikko Sarvanne Garden has yet to be heard live in many locations.
"I am especially looking forward to the final concert of the tour at Helsinki's Temppeliaukio Church, a concert venue I have dreamed of since founding this band. I believe that our music will reach truly special heights there," Sarvanne paints a picture.
Mikko Sarvanne is a composer freely navigating the borderlands between jazz and contemporary music. He is known not only for his ensemble Mikko Sarvanne Garden but also for leading the Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company, which has released two albums with a stronger leaning towards jazz expression. Sarvanne studied composition at the Sibelius Academy's rare jazz composition program.
Mikko Sarvanne Garden on the Finnish Jazz Federation tour from May 8th to 17th, 2024:
Wed, May 8, 7:00 PM Joensuu, Näyttämö / Jazzkerho -76
Fri, May 10, 8:00 PM Porvoo, Vanha 123 / Porvoo Jazz Club
Sat, May 11, 7:00 PM Turku, Logomo / Flame Jazz, Jazz City Turku
Sun, May 12, 3:00 PM Sipoo, Topeliussali
Tue, May 14, 7:00 PM Kajaani, Kaukametsän kulttuurikeskuksen Kouta-sali
Wed, May 15, 7:00 PM Oulu, RioLive / OMJ Jazz & Etno
Fri, May 17, 7:00 PM Helsinki, Temppeliaukion kirkko (with Elia Lombardini) / Mikko Sarvanne Garden's own production
Mikko Sarvanne Garden
Josefiina Vannesluoma – vocals
Virva Immonen – vocals
Selma Savolainen – vocals
Jesse Ojajärvi – percussion
Aino Juutilainen – cello
Oskari Siirtola – double bass
Mikko Sarvanne – compositions, electronics
www.mikkosarvanne.com/mikkosarvannegarden
Let jazz be heard and seen!
The Finnish Jazz Federation's domestic touring promotes the availability of jazz music, national accessibility, and employment opportunities for musicians, especially outside the Helsinki metropolitan area. The touring program includes nine tours annually. The Finnish Jazz Federation produces four self-produced tours per year. Five tours are carried out in collaboration with external producers. Within the framework of the touring activities, approximately 100 concerts are held annually in about 40 different locations.
Photo: Kalle-Erik Kosonen